Magnetic Reconnection
MHD Theory and Applications

A lucid introduction to the theory of magnetic reconnection and a wide-ranging review of its applications.

Eric Priest (Author), Terry Forbes (Author)

9780521033947, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 February 2007

616 pages, 193 b/w illus. 6 tables
24.4 x 16.9 x 3.4 cm, 0.969 kg

'This book, written by two real experts in the field, presents in a clear and logical way an overview of the reconnection process, its theory and applications … an excellent book for graduate students intending to work ion any of these fields, and an indispensable handbook for researchers, solar physicists in particular.' Zdenek Svestka, Solar Physics

Magnetic reconnection is at the core of many dynamic phenomena in the universe, such as solar flares, geomagnetic substorms and tokamak disruptions. In an authoritative volume, two world leaders on the subject give a comprehensive overview of this fundamental process. The book provides both a full account of the basic theory and a wide-ranging review of the physical phenomena created by reconnection - from laboratory machines, the Earth's magnetosphere, and the Sun's atmosphere to flare stars and astrophysical accretion disks. It also provides a succinct account of various mechanisms of particle acceleration and of how reconnection can be important in such mechanisms. The clear and pedagogical style makes this book an essential introduction for graduate students and an authoritative reference for researchers in solar physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and space science.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Current-sheet formation
3. Magnetic annihilation
4. Steady reconnection: the classical solutions
5. Steady reconnection: new generation of fast regimes
6. Unsteady reconnection: the tearing mode
7. Unsteady reconnection: other approaches
8. Reconnection in three dimensions
9. Laboratory applications
10. Magnetospheric applications
11. Solar applications
12. Astrophysical applications
13. Particle acceleration
References
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Plasma physics [PHFP]